This Is our Imperial Stout that we age in conditioning tanks with oak staves. This adds a classic character of old world aging with out the Bourbon tones. This black ale is about 12% alc. and very rich in roasted and chocolate malt tones. Velvety smooth and able to be aged for years.

Beer: Reviews & Ratings

Reviews by ktrillionaire:

4.6/5 rDev +9.8%look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Big thanks to G311 for this one.

A - It pours a perfectly sinister black; it is an oily abyss impervious to light. A thick crown of camel-colored froth is produced from a moderate pour, the head is long-lived and leaves copious remnants of lace as it collapses.

S - My initial impression assures me that this is at least a solid brew; the nose is very rich and also well-apportioned. Chocolate, coffee and charred, peaty molasses flavors are established by the aromatic malt. The booze is ultra-covert at 12.5%, you'd never know.

T - The suggestions of the nose are acutely transposed to the flavor palate. This brew is a delicious showcase of the flavor range and capacity of malt. Smoked, roasted, charred, toasted, and raw maltiness converges to produce sublime notes of coffee, chocolate, cocoa, burnt toast, black licorice and peat. The oak addition may impart a very slight vanilla nuance and perhaps contributes to the invisibility of the 12.5% ABV, but it is not pronounced as a specific flavor.

M - Creamy and nicely carbonated, but it could finish a bit nicer (with less acridity.)

D - This is so nice, all-around. And you'd never know it had such a high ABV by the taste or smell... Thanks VG, for the hook-up, this was a good one. (1,247 characters)

More User Reviews:

I believe this is a new batch released in late 2014, December. (Purple cap)

A Pours pitch black with a small head that diminished to clustered bubbles residing on the rim of the glass. They remain for some time.

S Cocoa and some alcohol heat, as it warms the alcohol heat blends in and is not as noticeable. Soon begins to smell like a brownie.

T Big wave of roasted malt followed by a slightly bitter chocolate that finishes clean. No taste of heat detected in the smell. The chocolate flavor lingers around very pleasantly. As per the label “like a chocolate bar au naturel”

M Slick and smooth, light carbonation is perfect. The beer is aged with oak staves that I would assume lead to the overall smoothness.

O The bottle says you can age it for years but with how it is drinking fresh I can’t see why you would want to do that. Damn tasty stout for the abv, no artificial flavors in any way shape or form. Just traditional ingredients; malts and hops for the win. (984 characters)

22oz bottle received from ozzylizard as part of the NBS BIF #1. The label differs from that pictured on BA. No obvious freshness date, but at 12 %, I imagine any age it’s got will be fine. Interestingly, while the brewery is quite straightforward as to the malt bill, they do not disclose what sort of hops were used.

Poured a dark brown that was so dark as to be virtually black. There was initially about an inch or so of creamy looking tan foam, though it receeded somewhat after a few minutes. Lots of lace. The beer was completely opaque when held up to light.

The nose was of dark fruit, molasses and coffee.

A bitter flavor at first. Coffeeish bitterness leads the charge. Some dark chocolaty and brown sugary sweetness kicks in immediately afterwards, but the bitterness stays at the head of things. Midway through, there’s a wee bit of acidity and a tanginess that I couldn’t quite pin down. Things finish with a mild but satisfying dryness.

Full bodied, with a coating mouthfeel.

A bitter take on the Imperial Stout. I don’t consider that a bad thing, and rather prefer such an interpretation over many that are a bit too sweet. This might not be the thing to serve to someone who feels differently, however! Thanks again, Ozzylizard! (1,260 characters)

Appearance: The pour isnt as thick as Ten Fidy, Expedition, and the like but its black as black can be with absolutely no light coming through the glass with a one finger mocha colored head

Smell: This right here is how a RIS should smell. A ton of roasted malts and coffee in the forefront along with molasses, chocolate, as well as a hint of alcohol. I already know im going to love the taste.

Taste: Once again plenty of roasted malts and coffee, but the chocolate notes are more prominent in the taste and with the molasses and even slight nuttyness, the result is wonderfully rich and complex flavors.

Mouthfeel: Pretty full bodied, but average for the style; It's amazingly smooth for a 12% beer. So smooth in fact that i wouldve guessed maybe 9%.

Overall: I was expecting greatness with this one, but my mind was blown. Iv had countless RIS and dont say that often. This stout has it all from the pitch black appearance, dark, rich, and complex aromas and flavors of roasted malt, coffee, chocolate, molasses, and nuttyness, and the silky smooth mouthfeel, especially considering the abv. This beer reminds me of and is absolutely on par with my favorite stouts from Founders. In my opinion, it exceeds the hype. Go seek this out and if i were you id even trade for it. (1,282 characters)

The pour is opaque black with just a slight light brown ring of head around the top. The nose features a bunch of roast with a nice mellow blend of oak, bourbon, and vanilla. This is certainly not the beat you over the head type of BA Impy. Again, the bitter roasted malts and even a bit of an earthy hop character sneak through, and the give way to very enjoyable bourbon barrel aged character. We have a medium body here that is very easy to drink. Just a tad of carbonation to keep it from being flat. The finish is pretty short lived. I find that to be a bit of a bummer. But over all, I think we have a well made barrel aged beer here. (640 characters)

Drinkability: Wow. This one was the last beer I snuck into my travel bag on my way back from Pennsylvania and I am glad I did. This is my new king in this category which I love. Super malty, super chocolaty without being cloying, I could have several. I did not even realize this was 12% the alcohol is so well hidden. Just an amazing beer. (624 characters)

The beer pours black with a tan head. The aroma is alcohol, tobacco, leather and dark fruit. For the flavor is get notes of chocolate, leather, tobacco, roasted malt and alcohol. Thick mouthfeel and low carbonation. This was a pretty good beer, but I went in expecting it to be a great beer and for that reason, I was a little disappointed. Still, I am glad I got to try it. (417 characters)